Chapter 7

Over the next few days, Theodore stayed home the entire time, which was a rare occurrence. He noticed that Calista was in a foul mood and, for once, made Aveline apologize to her.

Aveline stood before Calista and offered a half-hearted apology. "Calista, I'm sorry. I acted too impulsively that day."

Calista gave her a cold glance and didn't even bother to respond. She turned and walked into her room, slamming the door shut with a loud bang.

Aveline flinched and immediately threw herself into Theodore's arms, her voice trembling. "Theodore, she won't hit me, will she?"

Theodore patted her back in reassurance. "With me here, no one will bully you."

As soon as he finished speaking, the sound of someone rummaging through drawers echoed from the room. Theodore frowned and was about to knock when the door suddenly swung open.

Calista walked out with a large box of items, ignoring him completely. She went straight to the trash can in the living room and dumped everything inside with a loud clatter.

Theodore's eyes widened. The box held all the things she had carefully kept over the years that were related to him. Inside were notes he had scribbled, a cup he once used, and the only gift he had ever given her—a rosary bracelet she had relentlessly begged him for.

Now, she threw all of them away as if they were nothing but trash.

His voice turned cold. "What do you mean by this?"

Calista brushed the dust off her hands and replied indifferently, "It doesn't mean anything. I just don't want them anymore."

She no longer wanted his belongings or him.

After she finished speaking, she turned and left without looking at him again.

Aveline watched as Theodore's expression changed. Feeling a pang of jealousy, she deliberately asked, "Theodore, do you want to go inside and comfort Calista?"

Theodore stayed silent for a long moment, then finally spoke, "There's no need. She'll sort it out herself. Soon enough, she'll be picking those things back up."

It was just like the way she had relentlessly pursued and loved him for the past six years.

Separated by only a wall, Calista stood in her room and almost laughed when she heard those words. She knew Theodore was completely wrong this time.

…

That evening, Theodore intended to take Calista and Aveline to a charity gala.

Calista didn't want to go, but Theodore said calmly, "Noelle will be there too. You've been shut inside for so long. Don't you want to see her?"

Calista fell silent for a while, then eventually changed her clothes. The recent events felt far too suffocating, so she desperately needed someone to have a drink with.

Throughout the drive, she didn't talk to Theodore or Aveline at all, keeping her eyes closed to rest. When they were halfway there, a loud crash suddenly erupted.

Blinding headlights flashed in their eyes, and Calista caught a glimpse of an out-of-control car hurtling straight toward them. In the next instant, she was thrown violently as the world spun around her.

…

When Calista regained consciousness, a cold, metallic scent of rust filled her nose. She struggled to open her eyes and found herself tied to a chair alongside Aveline in an abandoned warehouse. Their hands were bound behind their backs, and bombs were strapped to their chests.

Calista vaguely remembered seeing the second son of the Lockwood family—the archrivals of Montclair Group—stepping out of the other car just before she passed out. She wondered if he had abducted her and Aveline to get back at the Montclairs.

Beside her, Aveline wailed incessantly, her voice shrill and piercing. "Is anyone there? Help! Save me! I don't want to die!"

With only a few minutes remaining on the timer, Calista forced herself to stay calm and began dismantling the device strapped to her.

Aveline's wailing gave her a headache, so she said coldly, "Why are you crying? If you don't want to die, hurry up and defuse your bomb."

Aveline cried even harder. "Why are you yelling at me? I don't know how to do it. Theodore, where are you? I'm so scared… Theodore."

The moment she finished speaking, the warehouse door was kicked open. Theodore rushed in.